Chronology of developments at AWE

Mon, 2009-07-13 23:43

AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield

Key events: June 2002 - July 2009

2002

June: the Observer and the Guardian reported that AWE was planning to produce "mini-nukes" (non-strategic or "battlefield" nuclear weapons); peace campers break into the site and damage security equipment.

July: AWE plc published their Site Development Strategy Plan, outlining proposed new developments including a supercomputer, hydrodynamics facility, new laboratories and a laser facility.

2003

January: AWE ml's contract was extended from ten to 25 years; the new contract is worth £5.3 billion to the joint venture company which runs AWE;

March: Geoff Hoon stated - in the context of Iraq - that if threatened by biological or chemical weapons, the UK would be prepared to use nuclear weapons;

May: AWE Aldermaston started recruiting some 80 of an anticipated additional 1500 scientific and other staff - this figure subsequently rises to 2,200;

October: the Ministry of Defence (MoD) submitted their first notice of proposed development - for the Orion laser facility - to the local planning authority;

December: the government defence white paper states that a decision about a replacement for Trident will made be in the next parliament. West Berkshire District Council (WBDC) pass outline planning permission for Orion laser.

2004

February: MoD's planning application for Orion laser is withdrawn in the face of a threat of legal challenge;

April: hundreds of people take part in the first London to Aldermaston march for 20 years;

November: the resubmitted laser NOPD is approved;

December: the MoD submit two new planning applications for IT and office buildings.

2005

February: IT and office building plans are approved by WBDC;

May: work starts on the site of the Orion laser. Block the Builders hold first public blockade: seven arrests;

August: two new planning notices for development of three buildings are received by WBDC;

November: WBDC hesitate on passing full planning notice for Orion as an Environmental Impact Assessment has not been provided.

2006

January: WBDC agree permission for Orion. As promised, campaign group Block the Builders begin regular blockades at AWE Aldermaston. The first, on 30 January sees around 70 people, there are eight arrests;

March: Block the Builders (BtB) return to AWE. Despite a massive police presence, a short blockade is held. Six people are arrested. Defence Select Committee inquiry takes evidence from academics, campaigners and strategists on the issue of Trident replacement;

April 2006: BtB hold another blockade; new byelaws to stop protest at Aldermaston put out to consultation; trespass on the Nuclear Licensed site criminalised under s.128 of Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA), as amended by s.12 Terrorism Act 2006;

May: BtB blockade the Lafarge factory which supplies concrete to AWE; one arrest and one woman chains herself to the concrete hoppers for two hours;

June: Scottish MSPs, church leaders and others demonstrate at Aldermaston; BtB protest in Chippenham outside offices of Zanders, a company with a £20m contract for the Orion laser;

July: Tadotoshi Akiba, Mayor of Hiroshima vists Aldermaston;

August: "Remember and Resist": 50 attend blockade with 10 arrests;

November: 400 Greenpeace activists surround Aldermaston;

December: government publish White Paper on the renewal of Trident; the promised public debate never happens; BtB block traffic for more than two hours, with seven arrests; 20 arrests at Faslane in similar protest.

July: MoD provides details to parliament of further planning applications expected in 2009, including Uranium Enrichment Facility; Scottish CND obtains evidence through Freedom of Information application that the decision to build new warheads has already been taken;

March: WBDC planning committee approved planning permission for the new Warhead Assembly Facility at Burghfield; responding to a parliamentary question on developments at Aldermaston and Burghfield, armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth states that â€œThe latest forecast date for the submission of the planning application for the proposed replacement Uranium Handling Facility is the fourth quarter of 2009. The date for the proposed Hydrodynamics Facility is mid-2010.

April: following a FoIA request by the the local Nuclear Awareness Group, the MoD reveal that in 2002 they abandoned plans to move warhead assembly from AWE Burghfield to Aldermaston in order to avoid a public inquiry.

July: AWE, MoD and WBDC investigate wasy to short-cut the planning process and avoid public consulation on planning applications at aldermaston and Burghfield.